. . .
Moderators: 52D, Tom F, Rlangham, Atlantic 3279, Blink Bonny, Saint Johnstoun, richard
-
crudshoveller
- GER J70 0-6-0T Tram
- Posts: 15
- Joined: Mon Mar 07, 2011 7:55 pm
Re: 46251 City of Nottingham
The Six Bells Junction website is your friend...
http://sixbellsjunction.co.uk/
46251 did work both ways - southbound then northbound
(Careful - you'll get lost in there for hours)
http://sixbellsjunction.co.uk/
46251 did work both ways - southbound then northbound
(Careful - you'll get lost in there for hours)
(recreating pre-war Grantham in model form http://www.lner.info/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=9076.
Forthcoming exhibition appearances: Newcastle (Nov 2023); York (Easter 2024); Bristol (May 2024)
Forthcoming exhibition appearances: Newcastle (Nov 2023); York (Easter 2024); Bristol (May 2024)
-
crudshoveller
- GER J70 0-6-0T Tram
- Posts: 15
- Joined: Mon Mar 07, 2011 7:55 pm
Re: 46251 City of Nottingham
Well somebody's mistaken!
I've seen and read many references to this railtour over the years (including reports of some 'very lively' running by the Duchess over the GC mainline!) and this is the first time I've heard anyone doubting that 46251 hauled the tour back to her namesake city!
If it didn't work back, then you would have thought that there would be a mention of that on the Six Bells Junction website - looking at the booked and actual timings for the train (dep Swindon 19.02 against a booked time of 19.03; arr Nottingham 22.46 against a booked time of 22.24) I can't see much opportunity for swapping the loco out (which would surely have caused a delay?)
The website entry below includes a first hand account of a signalman witnessing 46251 passing his box on the return journey
https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=IYK ... 64&f=false
So she certainly set off from Swindon on the way back. If, as you say, that L.E. picture is taken near Rugby Central on the day then it would have been at 21.45 or later - rather dark for photography!
I can't offer a direct explanation for your photo. I have, however, read somewhere that the loco was sent to Annesley shed some days before the tour (to ensure it was in position ready, presumably?). Was this some form of light engine working associated with that? There was probably a restriction on how they could get a heavy axle load loco over to the GC so maybe they routed it up the GC from the south (and check clearances on the way). Perhaps the photo was taken of a move like this, a few days earlier?
I've seen and read many references to this railtour over the years (including reports of some 'very lively' running by the Duchess over the GC mainline!) and this is the first time I've heard anyone doubting that 46251 hauled the tour back to her namesake city!
If it didn't work back, then you would have thought that there would be a mention of that on the Six Bells Junction website - looking at the booked and actual timings for the train (dep Swindon 19.02 against a booked time of 19.03; arr Nottingham 22.46 against a booked time of 22.24) I can't see much opportunity for swapping the loco out (which would surely have caused a delay?)
The website entry below includes a first hand account of a signalman witnessing 46251 passing his box on the return journey
https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=IYK ... 64&f=false
So she certainly set off from Swindon on the way back. If, as you say, that L.E. picture is taken near Rugby Central on the day then it would have been at 21.45 or later - rather dark for photography!
I can't offer a direct explanation for your photo. I have, however, read somewhere that the loco was sent to Annesley shed some days before the tour (to ensure it was in position ready, presumably?). Was this some form of light engine working associated with that? There was probably a restriction on how they could get a heavy axle load loco over to the GC so maybe they routed it up the GC from the south (and check clearances on the way). Perhaps the photo was taken of a move like this, a few days earlier?
(recreating pre-war Grantham in model form http://www.lner.info/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=9076.
Forthcoming exhibition appearances: Newcastle (Nov 2023); York (Easter 2024); Bristol (May 2024)
Forthcoming exhibition appearances: Newcastle (Nov 2023); York (Easter 2024); Bristol (May 2024)